Declaration of interest – I’m one of the writers on the title and I helped get the title into Forbidden Planet stores, so I’m obviously a bit biased!
ComicScene UKis a new magazine that features all aspects of comic culture, which is already on sale in comic shops around the country. It was inspired by a wave of nostalgia for classic comics from the 1970s, when comics sold more than a quarter of a million million copies per week, as well as the eclectic, self-publishing dynamism of comics today and their massive influence on popular culture from TV and films, computer games and cosplay.Featuring top specialist writers and creators, published by Tony Foster of comicsflix.org and designed by the Burgh Agency based in Edinburgh. The title is supported by the use of social media and additional website material.”The magazine also has a social purpose,” says Tony, “aiming for some of the profits to provide free comic workshops for young people, helping to inspire the comic creators of tomorrow.
“The title also encourages improving literacy by comic reading for young children and young adults as well as identifying a variety of different comic genres to explore.
“The intention was to follow a subscription only model but buyers from specialist comic shops across the UK agreed to sell them earlier than expected,” he continues. “The magazine now needs your support to get into shops like WHSmith and make it more accessible to people, share information on classic and new comics and increase our potential profits for funding comic workshops. There is a fee for this and your help will meet this cost.”
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Star Trek Explorer (previously known as Star Trek Magazine) and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of "Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies" for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Great idea but I can already forsee it being badly publicised and displayed by WHSmiths like they do with many of their magazines! They will probably rack it with all the kids comics like they did many a time with Comic Heroes magazine simply because it has ‘Comic’ in the title!
Great idea but I can already forsee it being badly publicised and displayed by WHSmiths like they do with many of their magazines! They will probably rack it with all the kids comics like they did many a time with Comic Heroes magazine simply because it has ‘Comic’ in the title!